I agree, although Beckford would struggle to finish his dinner, i still think that he was more than a decent squad player, im a bit gutted he's gone. 10 goals in his first season isn't bad at all, and he could of easily doulbled that figure with some of the easy chances he missed. What 28 year old striker could you buy for £3 million? i think by selling him shows how bad the situation is at the club, it leaves us very short up front.

I think they have taken a massive gamble selling Beckford and replacing him with Denis Stracqualursi. Whilst Beckford wasn't the greatest he was joint top scorer in his first season, he had pace and good movement which is something that we lack. So I agree it was strange but I think the whole thing has been driven by whoever we had bids for.

It only seems like yesterday that we brought in this kid from Leeds on a free, and before you can say 'Warnerbonons' the player has left and joined up with someone else.

I remember at the time he arrived from Elland Road I was genuinely excited and was eager to see what he could bring to the club after a well recognized and distinguished time with the Yorkshire outfit, ultimately he was never able to duplicate anywhere what he achieved before, once in blue colors, but nonetheless still provided one or two standout moments.

Was initially signed on a 4 year contract here, but these things aren't worth the paper they're written on half the time now . All said, we got him on a free, got $4,000,000 from Leicester for him, so that at least, by my math, represents a good piece of business.

Get real people, this sale wasnt to raise money. The lad is an arse off the pitch and doesnt fit in with his bad attitude. After Wolves away last year his card was marked! this adds to squad moral well done EFC for selling him COYB

£4 Million for a player we got for free a year ago is a brilliant deal. He was never the answer for Everton. He did a job, a good job, what was asked of him, and with a year's publicity in the Premier League he probably got a brilliant deal with Leicester. Good for us, good for him, will be good for them! No doubt Beckford will score loads in the Championship, maybe help them get promoted.

Beckford is a dreadful footballer, he has zero potential for improvement. Yes, somehow he scored 10 goals last season but looks completely out of place in the Premier League and had shown no indication of getting a single goal so far this season.

I think this is an excellent decision by David Moyes under the circumstances. I never felt comfortable watching Beckford in an Everton shirt and will be overjoyed to see the back of him.

Some really odd posts that have missed a few things, Beckford was never a lone striker and when given a partner looked half decent, yes not a Drogba or Torres but he cost nothing, Wilson's favourite player gets a contract and couldn't score in a brothel and in at least one post above I read he's a better player - are you fucking kidding? As for moaning on the pitch we've kept a fucking useless lump that does nothing but hold his back like an old woman and punches the floor after falling on his fat useless arse.

The sale was for business reasons, as said above we got offers and Moyes wanted shut, the £4m byt the way is dependant on clauses and I really doubt Everton got half of that up front.

"I think this is an excellent decision by David Moyes under the circumstances"

Really? Maybe, if he was able to bring in a decent replacement for him. This troll hunter he's picked up from the Argentinian league is more of a blind punt of faith than Beckford ever was. Has Moyes even seen him play? Did he know anything at all about him apart from the fact he's a forward and he was available on loan? Did he not realise he looked like Jason Voorhees younger brother but without the decency to wear a fucking hockey mask?

Apparently, his agent had been hawking him around English clubs, but there were no takers after he had flopped in a recent trial at Leicester. If Sven had the chance to take him (on loan I mean, not literally 'take' him. Although I wouldn't put it past the old pointy nosed perv) but declined, and instead chose to splash the cash on Beckford, then this suggests that the guy could seriously struggle to have any sort of impact for us.

great business by Moyes - Becks did a job (sort of) - scored a good goal (but used all of his career luck in the process!) but had absolutely no awareness in the box - and he is getting towards 30!! Result!!

Victor has to step up though - I have seen him play outstanding (rare but in Europe on the right he was MOM) so he needs to step up!

Moyes for some reason doesn't like playing with any strikers half the time. I remember when we had five strikers fit and he never played one. Instead used Cahill and Fellaini as attacking threats.

Stracqualursi is 1000% better than Beckford in the air. He knows how to score with his head. And Drenthe was has loads of pace and is explosive. Something we desperately need. (he's potentially better than Pienaar) Real bought him for £14 million, but he just isn't suited to La Liga.

Beckford is a championship player. He will do well at Leicester but in the Premiership he will never score more than 10.

i did not find selling him strange, because as some have already said we got a good offer for him. but the first thing i did think when i got the news was damm we could do with him next season when were trying to get back into prem.

Dont go on about this argentina lad as if he's better than what we have got, because none have us have heard of him. One interesting report ive read, is that he plays like a centre back shoved up front, which doesn't sound promising, but i'll make my own mind up next week against villa if he's potentially better than the rest

Nonsense! Beckford was a decent striker adapting to Premier League football. He scored numerous goals for Everton despite the fact he rarely started and he got lousy service. Nobody's arsed about Anichebe, we all know he's awful, I don't need the statistics to prove it.

Moyes will regret this decision. It's just typical that fans expect Beckford to bow down to Moyes and track back all the time. We now have virtually no strikers in the team. I've seen a lot of bad Everton players, Beckford wasn't one of them. Like AJ he has suffered from Moyes's negative tactics I think we'll regret this one.

FFS boys give Denis the Argie a break at least give him 10 games before you slag him!As for Becks another poster got it right his card was marked after the Wolves game.I'm not going to slag him off as he scored some vital goals for us.As for Anichebe working harder for the team fuck off! He's a lazy moaning useless pile of shite! Makes Emily Heskey look like Rooney! And he has a worse scoring record as well!

The boy Kendrick is talking sense. Beckford was self obsessed which showed in his play - couldnt see a pass if it hit him in the head, had no interest in team play, couldnt control a bog o shite, piss poor vision. Arrogant in the extreme - borne of moderate success lower down and wasnt prepared to think and learn about his trade.

Colin, you say you will make your mind up about the Argentine lad next week. I doubt it very much. If Moyes starts him I will be utterly gobsmacked. We will start with one striker and it will be Vic. I'd like to see Denis and Vic start up front together. I hate the stick some players get and I think with a run of games. which he has never had, Victor Anichebe will be fine.

"Dont go on about this argentina lad as if he's better than what we have got, because none have us have heard of him"

Then you say:

"One interesting report ive read, is that he plays like a centre back shoved up front, which doesn't sound promising"

Either none of us have heard of him, or you (and therefore possibly some others of us) have read (or heard)about him (does 'heard' and 'read' mean the same thing even though they are different senses?).

In this respect, isn't a judgement that shouldn't be made yet being passed in your mailing; exactly the opposite of what you appear to be advocating?

The thing that got me about Beckford was he possesses the most unusual and coveted skill in the game; he's a natural scorer. But he never tried to improve his game. He scored everywhere he played, including after a 2 League jump to the EPL. A weird one.

Hey, he gets more money moving down a League and agreed to it. Nuff said. Just a peculiar fellow.

Dont you remember the training ground bust up Moyes had with Duncan Ferguson?

Moyes forgave that and made Duncan his Captain many times. Moyes also used Big Dunc frequently as a substitute right up until the end of his career even though truth be told Duncan probably should have retired a season earlier then he did.

And dont you remember last season when by all accounts David Moyes had a fist fight with Victor Anichebe on the training ground.

But Victor remains at the club. Victor remains a young player Moyes has a lot of faith in. In fact Moyes has been talking Victor up a lot recently.

Both Big Dunc and Victor Anichebe had major bust ups with Moyes and then went on to become firm favourites of his.

So your comment about Moyes being unforgiving is not really true.

Moyes can have a bust up and put it behind him. What I think Moyes hates is prolonged bad attitude and not giving 100%.

We list five strikers in our senior squad but two do not get a mention in these posts. If they are only there to make up the numbers rather than to be contenders then the situation could be considered even worse than at first glance? However, look at our midfield strength and consider Mr Moyes preferred style of play maybe things not so bad ?

This totals a yearly saving in wages + the incoming transfer fees of £26,164,000.

A couple of weeks ago i was reading on this site that we should sell Jags and Rodwell and give all the money to the banks for the debts.

The above players being sold will not impact us as much as people think.

The biggest thing for me is if Moyes will have anything to spend in January. Or, if BK has thought "Sell some players. Pay off some debt. Maybe we become more attractive to potential buyers with less of a pre-loaded debt"

If this is the case, apart from the Chavski and Sheik City I think this would mean we have the least amount of debt of any Premier club.

Something had to give. We can only hope this is a catalyst for change.

We all know that Beckford was not the answer, hopefully Saha can get on the pitch and get some form because he is a class striker. We had Arteta for a good six years, probably his best years. We have all seen this player become gradually less effective. Maybe tactics I dont know but how many free kicks and corners in the last 18-months have gone to waste?i just watched Cahill playing for Aus and he was woeful. It would be good if we can keep Yobo as cover he is still a very good player.

We all know that Beckford was not the answer, hopefully Saha can get on the pitch and get some form because he is a class striker. We had Arteta for a good six years, probably his best years. We have all seen this player become gradually less effective. Maybe tactics I dont know but how many free kicks and corners in the last 18-months have gone to waste?i just watched Cahill playing for Aus and he was woeful. It would be good if we can keep Yobo as cover he is still a very good player.

We all know that Beckford was not the answer, hopefully Saha can get on the pitch and get some form because he is a class striker. We had Arteta for a good six years, probably his best years. We have all seen this player become gradually less effective. Maybe tactics I dont know but how many free kicks and corners in the last 18-months have gone to waste?i just watched Cahill playing for Aus and he was woeful. It would be good if we can keep Yobo as cover he is still a very good player.

The irony is we replace him with a striker who was on trial at leicester and didn't impress. The mind boggles!

Beckford was a limited player but useful and brought us some wonderful solo goals last year. The ones against Chelsea stick in the memory. He offers more than Vic or Saha at present so I don't see the logic in it.

I feel gutted that we let Beckford go for fuck all money. To all those that say his touch was shite, well it may have been... but he still got 10 goals last year, how many more years are we going to have to wait for Victor to get 10 in a season???

Yes, he cost nothing and at the moment we have made £2.5m that's all but how the hell do we hang on with Victor when we get rid of players like Beckford?? This is one deal that's going to come back and bite Everton on the arse big time!

Got him on a freeMade at least £2.5 m plus addons Costing us a substantial wage bill but...Out of his depthCouldn't win or hold a ball to save his lifeQuestionable attitude and appalling work ethic off the ballPoor finisher infront of goalCould run fastInstead - We got a player on loan ( minimal outlay - maximum exposure to a wage bill if he doesn't make it -1 season)Taller, more agressive, stronger and faster than Beckford.Survived and scored in a very tough, rough league, Unlike the aformentioned - Actually plays in the box and heads crosses - useful if you are a striker and have bainsey and coleman in your side.Great piece of business and a no brainer.

GJ @ 48 .....fair point on the face of it - but to answer - I have a business partner based in Buenas Aires who feeds me regularly and ( for my sins) I had regular access to a box at Elland Rd and knew all about Beckford. The Man Utd Cup goal tended to blind a lot of people but there were many Leeds fans who were just as doubtful as me. Not being clever after the event I promise you, I've watched Beckford in hope as a season ticket holder plus all away games apart from one, and have been voicing my doubts for some time. Beattie aside ( and even he worked off the ball a bit) I've never seen a more ineffective striker for some time. This new guy can't be any worse - ( can he??)Sorry to sound so sure of myself - but I am.Michael at 12 got it right.

Players like Beckford should never have the chance to play for a club like Everton. Harsh but true. We should have established internationals in every position with fellow internationals competing for their place every week.

Dave you are the ONLY person that visits EVERY thread to look me up, arl woman? go find a mirror auld arse and oddly again you single me out, the OP is about a striker the club has decided to get shut of, the finance logic is the driver but to make some claim we'll be alright with what is left is laughable - you constantly make claims for Anichebe this Anichebe that, bad injury blah blah, well sorry Dave but reality is also reality, if he's got a bad injury which he was lucky to return from but was shit BEFORE he got it, unless he's gotten himself a bionic leg and a football brain implant you are talking bollocks, you simply cant polish a turd.

The statistics on Anichebe speak for themselves or you can sit at your computer with your fingers in your ears looking my posts up and shouting la la la la not listening.

You've just grabbed a stat yourself on Anichebe's career goals as 13 from a previous poster, since 2005 thats six years, find another Everton striker in the modern game that has scored 13 career goals in 6 years

Dave Wilson- fair point that he's had a bad injury and is often played out if position, but that doesnt disguise the fact HE'S FUCKING SHIT!

Back to the OP, £4m for Beckford was an offer they couldn't refuse. He's not suited for our one up front system, as his touch was touch and link play was shocking. He was however our only pacey forward, and was a good option for counter attacks, this should have been replaced but wasnt, and is s serious concern.

One south American correspondant says that 'The Strac' is a big and strong forward with a great touch, l

Dave Wilson- fair point that he's had a bad injury and is often played out if position, but that doesnt disguise the fact HE'S FUCKING SHIT!

Back to the OP, £4m for Beckford was an offer they couldn't refuse. He's not suited for our one up front system, as his touch was touch and link play was shocking. He was however our only pacey forward, and was a good option for counter attacks, this should have been replaced but wasnt, and is s serious concern.

One south American correspondent say that 'The Strac' is 'a big, strong centre forward with a great touch and is good in the air, loves being in the box so don't expect him dropping deep to collect the ball. 'Sounds just what we need, just hope he's any good. l

"Despite getting nowhere near the forward line for most of the games he has played." That's rubbish. MOST of his appearances HAVE been up front. Show me the stat that tells me how often he HASN'T played near the forward line.

Regarding the 5 starts last season-he came of the bench 13 times too. You failed to mention this,as it weakens your argument,as you well know,

Regarding the wing, do you think if we had a bigger squad,and more qualified personnel, AND if he was such a fantastic striker,Moyes WOULD use him this way?

Just as comparison,let's take a look at the records of recent Everton strikers: Some of which-despite having a SUPERIOR SRTIKE RATE,were still considered shit..

Sadly, it's dead right. The guy has a dreadful touch & composure of a geek on a first date.

What he does do well, is run - both his pace & effort were good, but it's his actual runs that i liked. He really had a knack for making a late run between the centre halves. That created a lot of chances - which of course meant he missed a lot of chances.

Essentially, he'd score 10 every year in the prem based on the # of chances he creates. But a better striker will score 15 with half the chances.

Anichebe has been used on the left, he`s been used on the right, he has also been used by Moyes as what I can only describe as a half way line battering ram. He has never played as an out and out striker - somebody like Loius, The Yak or Beckford who`s sole responsibilty is to get in the box and score goals.

Now many Evertonians who watch Everton think he`s shite - fair do`s, but they also recognise the roles he`s been asked to play . . you seem completely incapable of doing this.

This isnt about the guys ability -or the lack of- Its about you invading thread after thred to spout idiotic stats that you know fucken well are distorted.

The guy played TWO games in the first of the six seasons you babble about and has struggled with injury for the past three.WHICH BIT OF THAT IS SO DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO TAKE IN ?

There are people who come on this site whos posts I respect and DO look out for, but contrary to your claims, you aint one of them.

I believe everyone has the right even duty to give an honest opinion of our players, but when you repeatedly bring the same mindless stats to completely unrelated threads about a guy who has been no more than a bit part player, then IMO it goes way beyond the norm.

Most people just call him shite and move on,

Oh and btw, just to blow your other theory to bits. scroll; back to post 13. It was YOU who called Me into the thread . .so spare me the little victim act

Personally I find the stats argument irrelevant. He is one of the laziest players I have ever seen at Everton and spends most of his time on the floor regardless of whether he is on the wing or up front.

He is built like an ox but simply does not use his attributes (size!) to any advantage. One of the worst players we have had and a terrible attitude to boot.

He was never going to be a 20 or even 15 goal a season man, but as a youngster I thought he`d be another Heskey.

Heskey too gets abuse, he is hardly prolific either, but successive England managers and some of the best club managers played him.

These type of players are not Glamorous, or popular with the fans their game is about Muscle and as a consequence you will often see them on their arses.

Vic hasnt developed the way I`D hoped, but I think time is still on his side.

I watched him come back on - twice - at St james park. They guys leg was broken and I watched him struggle on for ten minutes at St Andrews with an injury that forced him out again for a long time. I dont think there`s anything wrong with his bravery.

The simple answer to your question has to be No, he has clearly not yet lived up to earlier promise.

let me ask you a question ;

Have you ever known a bit part player take so much abuse from an element of their own fans and do you feel its acceptable for people to continually put the boot into one of our own players . . whether he has played or not ?

Costing us a substantial wage bill - Considering his contribution and he was sought after and came on a free quite low.Out of his depth - No he weren't, he averaged 1 in 2. If he started more he would have scored more.

Couldn't win or hold a ball to save his life - so what? Any manager who asks a striker who's about 5'8 and 10 stone to jump for headers and hold the ball up is an idiot!

Questionable attitude and appalling work ethic off the ball - Greedy, yes so was Lineker, Rush and Van Nistelrooy and loads of others who played purely to score. Moaned when subbed? Always wants to play, Shame more never had that attitude.

Appalling work ethic off the ball? Far from it. Clearly you don't understand how the game works, I haven't seen a striker play for Everton who made as much space for others through making intelligent runs off the ball dragging defenders all over the place, shame the team weren't set up to take advantage.

Poor finisher in front of goal - Missed a few scored a few more, no better or worse than lots of other strikers at this level, most of the chances that came his way he made himself

I am personally glad to see the back of him. Yes if we had a powerful squad he could be tolerated similar to the way we used Paul Wilkinson in the mid eighties coming on as sub when we are controlling games etc. But in our present situation we need much more from every player than knocking the odd goal in.

The flaws in his game are obvious to anyone who knows anything about footbal: poor control, lack of awareness, inability to hold the ball, average work rate and attitude.

Put this way are Beckford, Anichebe and Yakubu for that matter capable of scoring 20 odd goals in the Argentine top flight?

I think no is the answer your looking for, So role on next Saturday and good luck to the new lads.

Dave, to use your own analogy of trawling the site to call me out for having an opinion that Anichebe is shite ? and you seem to be in a very small minority supporting him ? then yes, #13 IS a direct call to you, unless of course you can point me in the other member of the Anichebe fan club?

Anichebe is employed at Everton Football Club as a striker; he's shite... not going to sugar-coat it, he's fucking shite. His record in Europe you claim should ? as you lovingly like to point out ? should be put in context as you are speculating that no strikers at Everton "could" have scored more European goals than him as Everton hadn't played in Europe for years.

Stick to the arguments that actually hold water Dave, they are sometimes worth a read; your Anichebe canonisation crusade sadly isn't.

Injuries & square-peg assignments aside, you ARE talking out of your arse,and presenting a piss-weak argument. Pointing out a handful of good appearances only reinforces the amount of times he HASN'T delivered.

Why do you fanatically defend the boy when his contribution to the club has been so ineffectual? Whose strike rate is over 1 in 10?

I've looked at your arguments,and your only problem appears to be dismay that he's not appreciated enough by many Evertonians. Because poor Victor is a local,he's somehow entitled to more leeway,or that we're too harsh on him for being Scouse.That we're all bastards for having ran out of patience with him.

You don't come across as objective,as your argument seems emotionally-fuelled. It's nothing personal - it is statistical. It is valid to question a player's contribution..The only one personalising it - is YOU. Why should the guy be immune from scrutiny? Is he,or you,that fragile?

I'm not blaming him for being a bad player. I'm just saying - he's a bad player!

Now,despite already offering stats of your own, you're NOW claiming that stats don't matter.So let me ask you some spin-free questions: I dare you to answer ALL questions,honestly.

Were you a fan of Barlow, Max-Moore or Madar - or were they average strikers?

Does it not influence your perception of Anichebe,that their strike rate was superior to his?

Was Anichebe touted as a utility player-or is he SUPPOSED to be a striker?

If he was banging them in,would Moyes play him on the wing?

How many more chances should we give him,before exausting every possibility,and getting rid?

For what reason do we remember,and revere,Dixie Dean?

As you previously said: " Most people call him shite,and move on." Myself & others have done this. But you WON'T let us move on.

However,in football,the STATS DO MATTER. As they distinguish between success & failure.

I am not supporting Anichebe, I am opposing your half witted an relentless efforts to bring Anichebe into threads that have nothing to do with him. I`m opposing you spiteful attacks on a player who half the time hasnt even played.

there`s is no Anichebe fan club on this thread as you claim, just somebody who sees you relentless bollocks for what it is. You wont find me challenging anybody calling Anichebe shite and moving on, but if you want to try and pass off your relentless presentation of idiotic stats -even in unrelated threads - as mere opinion, then you can have no objection if I reply with an equally distorted and half witted stat.

The trouble is, unlike you I would know they`re Distorted and half witted and unlike you I have a squad full of other players I want to criticise / praise

Dick #37 I think the point is that if you do it publicly you are never looked on in the same light. I dont think I am being harsh on Moyes there.

Are these "fist fights" fact or hearsay? I'd love to know how anybody would know this unless they personally witnessed it. Everton is a closed shop and has been for a very long time in regards to information.

I mentioned this on another thread, but it's so relevant i'll say it agin.

Why have we kept a striker who has scored 7 premiership goals in over 90 games, when we sold for a small amount a striker who scored 8 premiership goals (not including the shot over the line against Villa) in 32 games and in those 32 many were 5 mins as sub?

Actually , any minute Anichebe spends on the pitch is too much. He's no PM level player, about the worst Everton center forward ever. A big guy with a little guy attitude, he's always tough against small defenders but when a bigger man comes by he hides. Very poor touch, no real pace and understanding of the game. In this case the STATISTICS show only what the fact is: NO GOALS last year. Very poor goal ratio overall. Moyes should get rid of Vic in the next window but I fear there will be no takers.I just hope Vellios, and McAleny will get their chances, they might not do it even if they get played but 'Big Vic' sure is not the answer!

You mean the substandard league and culture of football which has spawned 3 of the current top 10 best players in the world and play a style of football at international level which is about 10 years more advanced than ours?

Remember the Villarreal game at Goodison in 2005 ? half their side where Arengtinian and we couldn't get near them. Someone like Beckford who plays 1-2s in installments would be put on as sub and withdrawn after 5 minutes if he played over there.

Beckford and Anichebe are as shite as each other ? regardless of anyone's fancy stats, that is the bottom line. Beckford wasn't good enough. Anichebe isn't good enough.

Surely at the end of the day we should be asking are these players good enough for Everton Football Club? No end of stats is going to convince me or I suspect the majority of others on here that they were/are or ever will be.

If Denis or Vellios step up to the plate over the next few months, I fully expect Anichebe to be one of the next to leave as Moyes will then know he has enough better players at his disposal and 'Big Vic' can go find his level in Championship or League One.

"Good business, I thought he was way out of his league in the EPL." Really? Well considering it was his first season 2 levels higher than what he'd been playing at, plus he was playing a demanding and unfamiliar role, and the EPL is supposed to be the best in the world then 10 goals with limited playing time doesn't look that bad. His final game gave me hope that he was now comfortable at this level, and to score in 2 games against one of the title contenders proves he was not out of his depth. Makes me wonder what some of you "blues" expect from our skint club. Are you anticipating a january bid for Suarez, or Ronaldo? Wake up and smell the toffee lads, he was about the best we could have wished for and now he's gone. Hope you are all happy watching another freebie taking a season to adapt and then moving on, hardly conducive to a stable side eh

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